Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

We think, skepticism is a good and healthy thing, but when you are selling a ground breaking product, and you're doing it on a legal basis, correctly and with the best of intentions, skepticism can become a real problem. We do receive, from time to time, a few understandable enquiries asking us if this is a joke Webserver or not. We know that the Internet contains several joke sites, as well as many disreputable sites designed for purely fraudulent purposes.

We would like to reassure you that this is not such a site. However, due to the uniqueness of the product on sale here, we wish to give you this written reassurance. It is of course difficult to determine if this is a fraud while you are just sitting there surfing the net. Let's explain what the Lunar Embassy is actually doing. Mr. D. Hope has been in the business of selling Lunar Property since 1980. In all this time, and more than customers later (and increasing rapidly), we have never had a single unsatisfied customer. We are very proud of this track record. Three former US Presidents and several very prominent stars own their Lunar property already. The worldwide press attention the Lunar Embassy is getting is enormous. (Please see the TV Press Reports and the Newspaper Press Reports pages.)

If you still think this isn't above board, we would like to ask you to ask one of the Internet's best known and vigilant consumer watchdog organization called Netcheck. The Lunar Embassy are a member of the Netcheck Internet Commerce Bureau. There you can consult our company register, and see if anyone has filed a complaint against our company. Furthermore, you cannot become a member of Netcheck unless you conduct a correct business.

And if after all that you are still skeptical, well, we still don't blame you. Selling the Moon on the internet must surely be one of the strangest things you've ever come across. You know, whilst were talking about "weird sites on the Internet or what", did you know, that there's a site on the Internet that now sells "Insurance against Alien abductions"? This is true. Really. Even we were surprised. And we sell the Moon! But then again, we don't know a great deal about Alien abductions. So, in summary, no, this is not a fraud. Finally.

Whilst we are on the subject, we would like to take this opportunity to give you some useful tips to avoid fraud on the Internet: Beware of pyramid shemes, sites that say you have won a prize but they want money up front before you can collect it, some business opportunity shemes, "get rich quick" shemes, work at home shemes and sometimes, even sales of computer equipment (you pay, and the computer equipment never arrives). These are the most common types of fraud to be found on the Internet according to recent statistics. Don't give your bank account number or social security number to just anyone, unless you know the company that you are dealing with.

Well, there are several parts to this answer. Firstly, if you want to sell extraterrestrial property (or Earth property for that matter) it must be yours. If the property never belonged to anyone, like the Moon or the other eight planets, you must establish a legal basis of ownership.

Contrary to popular belief, ownership by individuals of extraterrestrial properties is not forbidden. The 1967 UN Outer Space Treaty stipulates that no government can own extraterrestrial property, but it neglected to mention individuals or corporations. In 1984, the UN attempted to plug this loophole (which they where very aware of), by introducing the ill-fated Moon Treaty. That treaty forbids the exploitation of extraterrestrial resources (which includes ownership) for anyone, also individuals and corporations. The only problem is, that when it was up for vote, out of 185 UN Member Nations, only six supported it. The vast majority of Member States refused to sign it and did not sign it. It makes sense too. Imagine if we find oil on the Moon for example. Should we prohibit its exploitation for the entire human race by law? Surely not. So, to make a long story short, the loophole still exists today, and for a reason. (If you are in the mood for some heavy legal discussions...a very detailed discussion of this can be read on our Space Law page.)

Therefore, one can become the legal owner of an extraterrestrial body, if you are the first one that claimed it, and that is the Lunar Embassy.

It's a bit like in the old west: Who stakes their claim on a piece of land first, gets the best property. This is modeled on old american law. Such a claim must be registered with your local Governmental Office for claim registries. In regard to Lunar properties, it obviously helps, if this is also done in the USA, as the Americans were the first to walk on the Moon and plant their flag on it (ie it could be argued, that if the Moon ever belonged to anyone, it certainly belongs more to the USA than any other nation).

Well, in 1980, a very bright, young and handsome Mr. Dennis Hope, went to his local US Governmental Office for claim registries, the San Francisco County Seat, and made a claim for the entire lunar surface, as well as the surface of all the other eight planets of our solar system and their moons (except Earth and the sun). Obviously, he was at first taken for a crackpot, until, 3 supervisors, 2 Floors and 5 hours later, the main supervisor accepted, and registered his claim.

Now, even if you get the claim registered, you are definitely not out of the woods yet. You must inform others. For example, at the same time, the Lunar Embassy was obliged to inform the General Assembly of the United Nations, and the Russian Government in writing of the claim and the legal intent to sell extraterrestrial properties. Now we're still not out of the woods. The US government has several years to contest such a claim. They never did. Neither did the United Nations nor the Russian Government. This allowed Mr. Hope to take the next step and copyright his work with the US Copyright registry office. So, with his claim and Copyright Registration Certificate from the US Government in hand, Mr. Hope became what is probably the largest landowner on the planet today. This is the legal basis by which the Lunar Embassy is selling extraterrestrial properties. For all these reasons, the Lunar Embassy has been able to conduct their business without any reproach from the US Government (or any other) since years, and they are aware that the sale of extraterrestrial Property is ongoing. The kindest reaction of the US Government was actually, that two former Presidents became Moon property owners, and recently, the US Congress gave Mr. Hope and the Lunar Embassy the Prestigious Republican Award which you can see here!

Finally, please note, that the few copycat webservers that have appeared on the Internet selling extraterrestrial properties, never made, nor can prove such a claim. Further, they are infringing on the Lunar Embassy's copyright...and worse...they are pretending to sell our (and your) property! (Needless to say we have begun taking actions in the right direction regarding that.) If you see such a server...ask them what their legal basis is, for selling what they are selling. Regardless of what they may have told you, please know, the Lunar Embassy were the first to file the claim and we were the first to sell extraterrestrial property on any celestial body (also on the Internet), but as with all good things, good ideas get copied, whether it's illegal to do so or not seems not to affect these people.

We use this statement in two contexts: The first as defined in the American Heritage Dictionary; The quality of being novel: 1) something new and unusual and 2) a small mass-produced article. Well, a property on the Moon definitely falls into all of those categories. The second context is totally out of the Lunar Embassies own, personal paranoia, as our lawyers explained to us years ago when this all started, that this can help avoid any frivolous lawsuits from a foreign country. You should know that this does not diminish the value of the property that you purchase in any way, as every deed is recorded and registered in the Lunar Embassy's registration database and every owners information is listed with that registration. You own this property.

We at the Lunar Embassy have a simple Prime Directive. If it's expensive, not everyone can get an extraterrestrial property, and, it will take all the fun and romance out of it. After all, this is an exciting adventure and we wish to share this with as many people who would like to share it with us. Around 16-20 dollars for a large chunk of land the size of a football pitch, sounds about right to us.

The easy answer here is to refer you to Question 1, is the Lunar Embassy a fraud or not, but we won't do that, because this is a question we get all the time. Well, we don't. There's a simple reason apart from the fact that this would be fraudulent: on the Moon alone, there are several billion (!) properties to be sold on the side of the Moon facing Earth. It therefore looks like we have a few more in stock until we are old and grey. And if they are sold, then, the other side of the Moon will be sold. Needless to say, we will be busy for a while...

Plans for the division and sale of other planets and their moons are constantly in the works, with the notable exception of the Jupiter Moon Europa. Europa will not be for sale out of respect for the works of the visionary and author Arthur C. Clarke, and the famous quote in his film 2010 which was a message, beamed back to Earth from an alien race:

"All these worlds are yours to study. Except Europa. Attempt no landing there. Use them together, use them in peace."

- and this is what we should attempt to do. The Lunar Embassy is the registrant for any claimed properties in our solar system. We can facilitate the acceptance of your claim for a small fee. Contact The Head Cheese for details.

Sure, or whoever you leave it to. This is actually one of the important points about buying an extraterrestrial property. It may turn out to become a valuable investment to future generations. We may not be able to get there yet and live there on a constant basis. But it is pretty certain that one day we will be able to live on many planets and Moons in the Solar System. In a few hundred years for example, large colonies on the Moon are a probable reality. The Artemis Project is already planning a profitable lunar venture and colony, and the Japanese are planning to go back to the Moon for commercial reasons since quite some time now. Undoubtedly, it will happen.

Unfortunately, certain places on the Moon and the other planets are not for sale because we firmly believe that they should remain for the good of all Mankind. This includes all the Apollo Landing sites, the Viking and Pathfinder landing sites, the Face and Pyramids of Mars, as well as the crater on the Moon on which water has apparently been found, but not yet confirmed. It would be irresponsible of the Lunar Embassy to sell these historic areas and sole natural resources.

Furthermore, you should know, that the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 declares the Moon as "the heritage of all Mankind, for the purposes of exploration", and that is pretty clear and unambiguous. This means that even if you have your property, if NASA wish to land on it to explore, they can, and they have a perfect legal right to do so. If however someone wants to land on your property to do something else, such as build or mine minerals, that is a different issue entirely.

Yes, this does mean that NASA can go where they wish. Apart from that, we at the Lunar Embassy have no desire at all to stop NASA doing what it is that they do best, even if the bodies in question have been claimed by us. After all, without these pioneers, we wouldn't even know what the place looks like, never mind be able to sell it.

We do. Really. It's more than just a silly rule, but more a philosophy to life. We feel, we all must learn to respect all life, no matter what it looks like or where it came from. Our team has several Star Trek fans, mainly TNG though, so please don't ask them about what Kirk did in episode 27. Their favorite Trek episodes are The Inner Light (TNG), although the Borg ones as well as All Good Things, rank right up there amongst the top ever, surely. Ah. They don't make them like they used to. Please note, that in honor of Star Trek VIII:"First Contact", the next two Lunar Cities will be named "Tycho-City" and "New-Berlin" as mentioned in the film. Our message is: Live now, because now, will never come again.

Many large companies have proposed to us to sell the extraterrestrial properties for a large amount of money per property. If it wasn't for the Lunar Embassy, that is probably what would happen. But that is not the objective. It is the Lunar Embassy's intention to allow as many people as possible to obtain an extraterrestrial property, so if it were expensive, this could not be the case. After company costs, printing costs, registry costs, mailing costs, huge International phonebills, faxbills and electricity bills, paying our Internet Service provider, paying maintenance on the webserver and paying all our employees, no, we are really not getting rich at all. But we assure you, it is a lot of fun and that is it's own reward.

An unfortunate side effect that came with the fame, of course, were copycat companies, all of which are not legal, as they do not hold a claim that precedes the claim of the Lunar Embassy, for the properties in question.

There are now three other Internet pages that try to sell properties on two extraterrestrial bodies in the solar system, to which the Lunar Embassy hold the claim, and on top of that, all are more expensive than us, in every respect. Unfortunately, they are doing this in a highly irresponsible manner, to the disadvantage of any unsuspecting customer. One even calls themselves "consulate"to copy the Lunar Embassy. You have been luckier. You found us first. You will not get a fake Rolex for twice the price. You will get the real thing, at the correct lower price.

We the Lunar Embassy are the only recognized world authority for the sale of lunar and other planetary real estate (including Mars) in the known solar system. Please be advised that any others are copy cat companies without authority, soliciting your money for unauthorized products. As the Lunar Embassy are the sole holders of the property claim to all planets in the solar system and their Moons (with the exceptions of the Sun and the Earth), we of course, also intend to offer properties for sale on all of these stellar bodies in the forseeable future.

Some copycat websites even claim that their claim is older than ours, which is not the case (but some people dont stop at anything we think). here are some ways to find them out:

If you are in doubt about a website, ask them if they received the Prestigious Republican Award Mr. Hope and the Lunar Embassy have recently received from the US Congress.

Further, the Lunar Embassy are a member of the Netcheck Internet Commerce Bureau. There you can consult our company register, and see if anyone has filed a complaint against our company. Ask them if they are also a member of an independent evaluatory body.

To get an immediate answer, alternatively, you can lookup the date when they registered their domainname here to clearly see that they are recent additions (we have been on line since August of 1996 (Moonshop.com) and July 31, 1997 Lunarembassy.com).

Copycat websites include the Lunar Registry, and Moonproperty.net.

Of course you can buy your property here and then resell it over the Internet. There are several such websites, and they all carry the newly introduced websites seal of approval.

And finally, here are just a very few extracts from our more entertaining mailbag.

Email Gem #1

I'm worried about my neighbors. If they're strange, what can I do?

Answer

Well, we get this question more often than you might think. We think there's a neighbor paranoia out there somewhere. Well. Let's be honest. We have no answer to that, other than that you can move back to earth if you don't like the neighbors. Its also unlikely you'll ever see them, seeing as you own a piece of land the size of a football pitch. However there is one good side. If your property is on the Moon, and your Lunar neighbor has a really loud stereo, what do you care? There is no atmosphere on the Moon, and therefore you won't hear a thing! You'll get the best sleep there ever. We guarantee it.

Email Gem #2

Am I allowed to move my Mobile Home to my property on the Moon, because the local camp ground is charging me a fortune?

Answer

After having verified that this was actually a serious question, the answer is yes, of course you can. It's your property after all. You can do on it whatever you like. (Except offend the Head Cheese of course.) We also asked the gentleman in question that, if he manages to do it, we would like to be the first to know.

Email Gem #3

How do I declare the property on my Tax Form?

Answer

This one, we believe deserves a 10/10 for brilliance. We have NO IDEA. Yes, you are property owner and you should not keep this from the taxman. We will not advise you to commit tax fraud, however, we are also sure it will confuse him, big time. Seeing as the value of the property is very low, ie less than 20 Dollars, it's debatable whether this is actually a Corpus Delicti you can be taken to court for if you don't declare it. The Lunar Embassy shall investigate this further! But don't you think you life is complex enough as it is? Ours is.

Lunar Questions

Yes they do. Until 2004 the planetary bodies within our solar system were ruled exclusively by Dr. Dennis M Hope. On March 5, 2004 the Galactic Government ratified its Constitution. Since this ratification process completed the Galactic Government, a Democratic Republic a sovereign nation that governs all planetary bodies with our solar system with the exception of Earth and the Sun. Since this is a democracy there will be elections to determine our leaders. Those elections will be held and controlled through the Galactic Government web sites, www.thegalacticgovernment.com. It should be mentioned here that in 2006 a person named Charles Stevens started a web site called Galactic Government. He and his site are frauds and have no relationship with the Lunar Embassy or the Galactic Government.

Pan-Am, used to sell tickets to the Moon, for the time that this may become possible for average mortal human beings like you and me. However, since then, unfortunately, Pan Am went out of business, though we are assured this was not because they sold tickets to the Moon. The answer is yes you can go, if you happen to have at least 900 million dollars lying around for your own personal rocket launch. So can you get to the Moon? Yes, but it will cost you! Can you see your property? Well that's easier and can be done with any reasonable little amateur telescope. Remember, from our point of view on Earth, the Moon does not rotate itself, and your property is always on the side that faces us, that means, if you can see the moon lit up, you can see your property.

Unfortunately, certain places on the Moon are not for sale because we firmly believe that they should remain for the good of all Mankind. This includes all the Apollo Landing sites, as well as the crater on the Moon on which water has apparently been found, but not yet confirmed. It would be irresponsible of the Lunar Embassy to sell these historic areas and sole natural resources.

Mars Questions

Yes they do. Until 2004 the planetary bodies within our solar system were ruled exclusively by Dr. Dennis M Hope. On March 5, 2004 the Galactic Government ratified its Constitution. Since this ratification process completed the Galactic Government, a Democratic Republic a sovereign nation that governs all planetary bodies with our solar system with the exception of Earth and the Sun. Since this is a democracy there will be elections to determine our leaders. Those elections will be held and controlled through the Galactic Government web sites, www.thegalacticgovernment.com. It should be mentioned here that in 2006 a person named Charles Stevens started a web site called Galactic Government. He and his site are frauds and have no relationship with the Lunar Embassy or the Galactic Government.

A wise songwriter once wrote "The chances of anything coming from Mars, are a million to one they said. The chances of anything coming from Mars, are a million to one, but still they come."

OK, lets open a can of worms. We do believe in Life on Mars. Even if its only in microbe form. If you ask us whether we believe in other extraterrestrial life, the answer would also be a firm yes. We just can not believe that we can assume we are alone with so many billions and billions of stars out there. If we now really verify that life has been found "next door" sort of speak, well then, statistically seen, we think, this is a fundamental discovery because it implies that the chances of life on other planets outside our solar system have just leapfroged by a factor of about ten gazillion or something around about there. We wish they would never have cancelled the SETI project and replaced it with the smaller Phoenix project. Imagine of what we could learn from such creatures. We could learn how to survive for a start. Please note however that this is of course our personal opinion and we know that there are many many people who would strongly disagree.

Now. As to how would life on Mars affect you? That depends. If such life exists (sentient or not) and it is capable of letting you know by means of any form of communications (language gestures etc), that we (and you) are not welcome on its property, unfortunately, then, we have all lost all our rights altogether, and you have lost 20 dollars. It is the second rule in the Martian Constitution and Bill of Rights. If on the otherhand we find life on Mars that can not communicate it's intentions (microbes, plants etc.) and you find some on your property, then it is your responsibility to ensure that they do not come to any due harm due to your presence. This sounds a bit tough but lets face it. If they exist, they were there first and we must learn to respect that. Who is allowed on what property, can not be related to the intelligence or sentience of the species.

So. No sneaky flower collecting for your loved ones behind your neighbors back please. Let us all try to not repeat the mistakes we made on Earth, on Mars.

We do, with all our hearts. We feel the manned mission to Mars has been long overdue. It is just another step on mans unstoppable journey to the stars. We truly admire NASA and JPL for making space travel look so easy today, when in reality, launching a shuttle or planning a trip to Mars can really, never be routine. They are true pioneers and heroes to us. There are always setbacks for such pioneers and we must accept that. But NASA consistently reveals mankind's finest characteristic - the fact that we are at our best, when times are worst.

Unfortunately, certain places on Mars are not for sale because we firmly believe that they should remain for the good of all Mankind. This includes the famous 'Face on Mars', as well as the 'Pyramids on Mars'. It would be irresponsible of the Lunar Embassy to sell these historic areas of general interest.

Venus Questions

Yes they do. Until 2004 the planetary bodies within our solar system were ruled exclusively by Dr. Dennis M Hope. On March 5, 2004 the Galactic Government ratified its Constitution. Since this ratification process completed the Galactic Government, a Democratic Republic a sovereign nation that governs all planetary bodies with our solar system with the exception of Earth and the Sun. Since this is a democracy there will be elections to determine our leaders. Those elections will be held and controlled through the Galactic Government web sites, www.thegalacticgovernment.com. It should be mentioned here that in 2006 a person named Charles Stevens started a web site called Galactic Government. He and his site are frauds and have no relationship with the Lunar Embassy or the Galactic Government.

Well, we do not know if there is life on Venus. Seeing however that several organisms on Earth can live in regions where the temperatures exceed one hundred degrees celcius (thats like real hot), there is no way it can be excluded, even if its only in microbe form. If you ask us whether we believe in other extraterrestrial life, the answer would be a firm yes. We just can not believe that we can assume we are alone with so many billions and billions of stars out there. Please note however that this is of course our personal opinion and we know that there are many many people who would strongly disagree.

Now. As to how would life on Venus affect you? That depends. If such life exists (sentient or not) and it is capable of letting you know by means of any form of communications (language gestures etc), that we (and you) are not welcome on its property, unfortunately, then, we have all lost all our rights altogether, and you have lost 20 dollars. It is the second rule in the Venusian Constitution and Bill of Rights. If on the otherhand we find life on Venus that can not communicate it's intentions (microbes, plants etc.) and you find some on your property, then it is your responsibility to ensure that they do not come to any due harm due to your presence. This sounds a bit tough but lets face it. If they exist, they were there first and we must learn to respect that. Who is allowed on what property, can not be related to the intelligence or sentience of the species.

So. No sneaky flower collecting for your loved ones behind your neighbors back please. Let us all try to not repeat the mistakes we made on Earth, on Venus.

Mercury Questions

Yes they do. Until 2004 the planetary bodies within our solar system were ruled exclusively by Dr. Dennis M Hope. On March 5, 2004 the Galactic Government ratified its Constitution. Since this ratification process completed the Galactic Government, a Democratic Republic a sovereign nation that governs all planetary bodies with our solar system with the exception of Earth and the Sun. Since this is a democracy there will be elections to determine our leaders. Those elections will be held and controlled through the Galactic Government web sites, www.thegalacticgovernment.com. It should be mentioned here that in 2006 a person named Charles Stevens started a web site called Galactic Government. He and his site are frauds and have no relationship with the Lunar Embassy or the Galactic Government.

Io Questions

Yes they do. Until 2004 the planetary bodies within our solar system were ruled exclusively by Dr. Dennis M Hope. On March 5, 2004 the Galactic Government ratified its Constitution. Since this ratification process completed the Galactic Government, a Democratic Republic a sovereign nation that governs all planetary bodies with our solar system with the exception of Earth and the Sun. Since this is a democracy there will be elections to determine our leaders. Those elections will be held and controlled through the Galactic Government web sites, www.thegalacticgovernment.com. It should be mentioned here that in 2006 a person named Charles Stevens started a web site called Galactic Government. He and his site are frauds and have no relationship with the Lunar Embassy or the Galactic Government.

Whilst we at the Embassy, due to the enormously hazardous surface conditions on Io do not believe in Life on Io, we surely can not exclude the possibility, even if its only in microbe form.

How would life on Io affect you? That depends. If such life exists (sentient or not) and it is capable of letting you know by means of any form of communications (language gestures etc), that we (and you) are not welcome on its property, unfortunately, then, we have all lost all our rights altogether, and you have lost 20 dollars. It is the second rule in Io's Constitution and Bill of Rights. If on the otherhand we find life on Io that can not communicate it's intentions (microbes, plants etc.) and you find some on your property, then it is your responsibility to ensure that they do not come to any due harm due to your presence. This sounds a bit tough but lets face it. If they exist, they were there first and we must learn to respect that. Who is allowed on what property, can not be related to the intelligence or sentience of the species.

So. Let us all try to not repeat the mistakes we made on Earth, on Io.

Well, so far, er, sure! In fact, if you go there right now, it is likely you will be able to enjoy the view for perhaps two seconds before you burn to a crisp and get crushed by gravitational forces before being swallowed up by a giant crevasse the late afternoon earthquake produced. Strangely enough, this has not stopped anyone wanting Iotian properties though (including us!). Let's just say, you have been warned... :)

In time, all of them with the notable exception of Europa. Europa will not be for sale out of respect for the works of the visionary and author Arthur C. Clarke, and the famous quote in his film 2010 which was a message, beamed back to Earth from an alien race:

"All these worlds are yours to study. Except Europa. Attempt no landing there. Use them together, use them in peace."